Creation Station: Make Ice Cream on a Summer Day with your Kids

materials:
q½ cup milk
q2 tablespoons of sugar

q1 teaspoon vanilla
q1 small sandwich bag

q1 gallon sandwich bag
qIce
q6 tablespoons of rock salt (table salt also works)

Easy ice cream recipe:
1. Pour the milk, sugar and vanilla into the smaller bag and seal it securely.

2. Put 2 cups of ice into the larger bag.

3. For older children, use a thermometer to graph the temperature change as the liquid changes to a solid right before their eyes.

4. Add the salt to the bag of ice.

5. Place the sealed smaller bag with all the ingredients inside the gallon bag of ice and salt. Make sure both bags are sealed securely.

6. Gently rock the gallon bag from side to side. It’s best to hold it by the top seal or to have gloves on because the bag will be cold and could damage your skin.

7. Continue to gently rock the bag for 10 to 15 minutes or until the contents of the quart bag have solidified into ice cream. This is the perfect project for a group of children who can take turns holding and rocking the bag.

8. Once you see that the liquid is a solid and looks similar to ice cream, open it and serve with your favorite toppings.

Ask older children what role the salt played and what would happen if we used sugar instead. Test all the theories and see what happens when you manipulate the ingredients. See if your children can list other examples of liquids turning into solids.

Robin Berlinsky is the director of education at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, adjunct professor at the College of Charleston, School of Education, Health, and Human Performance and is the owner of niki leigh spa parties. She has taught in the Charleston County School system and has three children. For more information, contact Robin.Berlinsky@gmail.com.